Arkansas Out-of-State Veterinary Medical Education Loan Repayment

Eligibility

• Meet the sponsor’s 12-month Arkansas residency and US citizenship/permanent-residency requirements, hold a valid Arkansas veterinary license, and have outstanding federal student loans.
• Graduate from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and begin qualifying Arkansas food-supply practice within 90 days after the degree and/or internship.
• Eligibility requires confirmation: the SAMS page says graduation after April 2012, while current 6 CAR399-103 says after April 2022 and also requires an Arkansas school or GED-program graduation. Ask ADHE to resolve your cohort before relying on an award.

Requirements

• Apply by July 1 of the calendar year you graduate and begin eligible practice; the next annual deadline shown is July 1, 2027. Confirm timing before graduating or starting practice.
• The rules define qualifying practice as at least 30% of the practice devoted to food-animal medicine or mixed-animal medicine in rural areas. Have ADHE confirm your practice qualifies.
• Awards are first come, first served within funding. Repayment is made to the federal loan holder after yearly requirements are satisfied; private loans and current veterinary-school tuition are not covered by this program.
• Document continuing eligibility annually. Missing the qualifying practice obligation can stop repayment; approved disability, military or other deferments require documentation.
• Report name or residence changes within 21 days. No fixed dollar amount is published; do not assume the full balance will be repaid.

How to Apply

1. 1Ask ADHE to resolve graduation-year/Arkansas-school eligibility and the degree-to-practice timeline.
2. 2Collect veterinary degree, Arkansas license, residency, federal-loan and eligible-practice evidence.
3. 3Submit the SAMS application by the cohort’s July 1 deadline.
4. 4Document annual practice for approved payments to your federal lender and request any deferment formally.